Case Studies

Laura* was a director who secured a new role shortly after using her personal brand to reconnect with her network of contacts following redundancy.  Spark helped her to expand on the qualifications and roles listed on her CV by exploring the personal values, beliefs and behaviours she brought to her work.  She then learnt practical tips and techniques to help her to communicate these to potential employers in face-to-face interviews to ensure she was well remembered even after she had left the room.

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John* was an MD who used his personal brand to position himself in a positive way in order to change others’ perceptions.  Previously, he thought his laid back style (which was a big part of his personality) conveyed calm authority; by working at a steady pace, he felt he was viewed as a safe pair of hands leading the company. However, the feedback he received via his work with Spark told him differently: his laid back attitude was perceived as disinterest and his steady pace made others feel he didn’t appreciate the urgency of some situations.  Now John is more aware of how he is perceived he ensures his laid-back style is balanced by clear personal brand messages which convey his dedication and solidity.

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Kate* was a recently-promoted director who used her personal brand to communicate more authority in what she said and did.  Previously, her management style was to avoid showing authority, instead having a laugh with her staff and being seen as ‘one of the gang’.  This soon changed though when, with Spark‘s help, she found out others, including her team, wanted to see some gravitas to match her new position.  So she changed her behaviour and is now seen as someone who really brings something to the Board.

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Chris* was an entrepreneur who discovered through his work with Spark that his key skill was his ability to transform companies and deliver financial results quickly.  This created a sense of clarity for a man who had his fingers in so many pies he found it hard to describe what he did.  But now he has a well-defined personal brand and a clear and concise answer when he’s asked, “And what do you do?”

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David* was a CEO who used his personal brand to create an online presence that complemented the reputation he had built over 30 years in his industry.  Realising the importance of taking control of what was being said about him when his name was Googled, he worked with Spark to create a biography that summed up not only his career but his characteristics, as well as giving an insight into his interests.  Delivering that through LinkedIn and other social media means people now have a clearer understanding of who he is and are able to buy into him even before they’ve met him.

*Details have been changed for confidentiality